The National Screen Institute and Banff World Media Festival are excited to announce an amazing new workshop designed to help give entertainment creators a competitive edge at Banff 2012. Developed for both new and returning Banff delegates, this jam-packed, one-day workshop will give creators insider information on what broadcasters are looking for, tips for maximizing your attendance at the festival and professional feedback on your website and marketing materials.

The workshop fee is $450. Banff World Media Festival will extend the kick-off rate of $1,295 to participants registering for this workshop and NSI will provide a 50% discount off the application fee to any NSI training program between March 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013.

Sign up by March 5th for the following workshops:

Vancouver: March 12

Calgary: March 14

Edmonton: March 16

Winnipeg: March 18 -contact Laurence Véron for information about how On Screen Manitoba’s industry development program Access To Markets might be able to help with funding your attendance.

Sign up by April 16th for the following workshops:

Toronto 1: April 23

Toronto 2: April 24

Montreal: April 26

Halifax: April 28

Register early as space is limited. Only 12 participants will be accepted per workshop. Workshops run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Venues to be confirmed.

Important Note: NSI reserves the right to cancel the workshop due to low enrollment, instructor illness or other reasons beyond our control. In the event the workshop is cancelled, all payments will be refunded. If a workshop delegate cancels their attendance, payment will not be refunded.

Workshop overview – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1) What’s New for Banff 2012: Presented by a representative from the Banff World Media Festival.

2) Making Connections: it’s all about relationships: Banff is a prime opportunity to build relationships and make a good first impression. Solid relationships = sales. Broadcasters want to work with content creators they trust and respect. Introducing yourself and highlighting your accomplishments is necessary in an environment like Banff. Learn how to make lasting impressions and build a solid working relationship with decision makers.

3) Market research: Get the skinny on what the broadcasters are looking for before you hit the market. Trends are constantly shifting – what was popular last year may be passé this year. We’ll give you insider information on what they’re looking for in drama, comedy, kids, factual and documentary.

4) How to make your website work for you: Your website is the first place people go when researching potential meetings. It’s important that it is representative of your brand. Participants will have their websites critiqued by a social media marketing consultant and will be given a list of resources and practical tools they can use to help build online audiences for their projects.

5) Marketing Materials: The necessary marketing materials differ depending on what genre you’re selling. A well written and designed one-sheet is an integral part of any pitch in the scripted world. Sizzle reels are where it’s at when it comes to factual programming. It’s becoming a “demo or die” world out there! We’ll show you how to get your marketing materials noticed.

You can have your websites, one-sheets and/or sizzle reel evaluated by the facilitators (email your materials to Brandice Vivier by the registration deadline).

6) The Art and Etiquette of Pitching: from the broadcaster’s perspective: The opportunities to pitch at a busy market are as endless as they are varied. The facilitators will provide you with an insider’s view on the do’s and don’ts of pitching in any situation.

7) Tips on “doing” Banff: The facilitators will walk you through the festival from where to book meetings to where to have a drink at the end of the day. We will even tell you what to wear and which parties to attend. Facilitators will also be on hand at the festival if you need advice or just a friendly face.